Wiggins takes Tour of California

May 18, 2014

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Bradley Wiggins of Britain secured his first race victory in eight months Sunday with a pack finish in the eighth and final stage of Tour of California won by compatriot Mark Cavendish.

Wiggins, 34, the 2012 Tour de France winner who rides for Sky, held the race lead for the final week and defeated Australian Rohan Dennis of Garmin-Sharp by 30 seconds.

American Lawson Craddock of Giant-Shimano was third overall, 1 minute and 48 seconds behind.

Cavendish, who rides for Omega Pharma Quick-Step claimed his second stage of the race by a few inches and completed the 76.1-mile circuit race, in 2 hours, 53 minutes and 50 seconds.

The finale of the 720-mile race included three 21-mile circuits in Ventura County each with a 910-foot ascent. The day ended with three 4.6-mile circuits around Westlake Village.

German John Degenkolb of Giant Shimano was second in the final stage, with Slovakian Peter Sagan of Cannondale third in the same time as Cavendish.